Iran

INTERNATIONAL. Something extraordinary, albeit not unexpected, is happening in the Persian Gulf region. The United States, lacking a coherent strategy to deal with Iran and too distracted to develop one, is struggling to navigate Iraq’s fractious political landscape in search of a deal that would allow Washington to keep a meaningful military presence in the country beyond the end-of-2011 deadline stipulated by the current Status of Forces Agreement.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia, dubious of U.S. capabilities and intentions toward Iran, appears to be inching reluctantly toward an accommod

INTERNATIONAL. A Syria in which the regime and IS, rather than other rebel groups, are the only real domestic players turns Bashar al-Assad into a pivotal cog in the fight against jihadism. That is something Saudi Arabia cannot allow to happen. To turn the tide, it needs a United States that is engaged and willing to do its bit.

INTERNATIONAL. "Saudi regional leadership amounts to exploitation of a window of opportunity rather than reliance on the assets and power needed to sustain it. That window of opportunity exists as long as the obvious regional powers - Iran, Turkey and Egypt - are in various degrees of disrepair."

INTERNATIONAL. The visible clash of interests from various cartel members combined with an appreciating Dollar has added to oil's woes consequently obstructing any opportunity for a recovery in prices.

INTERNATIONAL. President Xi Jinping's visit to the Middle East saw the signing of billiions of dollars worth of agreements with Saudi Arabia and Egypt and a ten-fold expansion of trade with Iran. The significance may go far beyond commerce as Chinese interests align more with Iranian interests.

INTERNATIONAL. The effect from the brewing conflict on oil is murky, but for now it is not having a bullish impact. That is because the global glut in oil supplies loom larger than any potential for a supply disruption; But what if the current "Cold War" between Saudi Arabia and Iran turned hot?

INTERNATIONAL. Global economic weakness and the glut in oil supplies will continue to weigh on crude. At this point, only tension in the Middle East is providing a bit of a lift to oil markets, but even that won't be enough to push up prices in any lasting way.

INTERNATIONAL. The U.S.-Russia standoff, surging nationalism in Europe, Turkey's re-emergence, low oil prices, falling Chinese consumption, military campaigns against the Islamic State and other geopolitical currents will tie in to and feed off of one another.

MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS COMMENT & ANALYSIS

UAE. New research from Bain & Company and Red Hat indicates that many traditional companies are at an early stage in their digital journey; leaders stand out based on their use of advanced technologies, such as cloud computing, advanced analytics and modern app development.

UAE. Insurers have been prompted to prepare for the effects that VAT and changes to international financial reporting standards (IFRS) will have on their industry as well as assessing the impact of new insurance regulations that came into effect earlier this year.

UAE. Insurers have been prompted to prepare for the effects that VAT and changes to international financial reporting standards (IFRS) will have on their industry as well as assessing the impact of new insurance regulations that came into effect earlier this year.

UAE. New research from Bain & Company and Red Hat indicates that many traditional companies are at an early stage in their digital journey; leaders stand out based on their use of advanced technologies, such as cloud computing, advanced analytics and modern app development.

UAE. New research from Bain & Company and Red Hat indicates that many traditional companies are at an early stage in their digital journey; leaders stand out based on their use of advanced technologies, such as cloud computing, advanced analytics and modern app development.

INTERNATIONAL. This is part two of a recent conversation I had with students, faculty, and alumni at New York University, where I had the opportunity to answer some questions concerning the turmoil in the Middle East and America's role in the world.

UAE. Insurers have been prompted to prepare for the effects that VAT and changes to international financial reporting standards (IFRS) will have on their industry as well as assessing the impact of new insurance regulations that came into effect earlier this year.